'Indifferent , The' by John Donne
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I can love both fair and brown;
Her whom abundance melts, and her whom want betrays;
Her who loves loneness best, and her who masks and plays;
Her whom the country form'd, and whom the town;
Her who believes, and her who tries;
Her who still weeps with spongy eyes,
And her who is dry cork, and never cries.
I can love her, and her, and you, and you;
I can love any, so she be not true.
Will no other vice content you?
Will it not serve your turn to do as did your mothers?
Or have you all old vices spent and now would find out others?
Or doth a fear that men are true torment you?
O we are not, be not you so;
Let me--and do you--twenty know;
Rob me, but bind me not, and let me go.
Must I, who came to travel thorough you,
Grow your fix'd subject, because you are true?
Venus heard me sigh this song;
And by love's sweetest part, variety, she swore,
She heard not this till now, and that it should be so no more.
She went, examin'd, and return'd ere long,
And said, "Alas! some two or three
Poor heretics in love there be,
Which think to stablish dangerous constancy.
But I told them, 'Since you will be true,
You shall be true to them who'are false to you'."
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Journey Through the Indifference of John Donne's Poetry
John Donne's poetry is often characterized by its complex and paradoxical nature. His work is known for its intricate metaphors, elaborate conceits, and intense emotions that seem to contradict one another. In "The Indifferent," Donne explores the theme of love and the nature of desire, questioning the sincerity of human affection and examining the various ways in which people respond to it. Through his use of language, imagery, and structure, Donne creates a powerful and thought-provoking meditation on the complexities of love and the human heart.
Background
John Donne was a 17th-century English poet, preacher, and theologian. Born into a Catholic family in 1572, he converted to the Anglican Church at the age of 25 and became one of the most influential religious figures of his time. His poetry was largely influenced by his religious beliefs, as well as by the classical and metaphysical traditions of his era. Donne's work is notable for its use of elaborate conceits, which are extended metaphors that compare seemingly dissimilar things in order to explore complex ideas.
"The Indifferent" is a poem from Donne's collection of Songs and Sonnets, which was published in 1633, two years after his death. The poem is written in the form of a dialogue between a lover and his beloved, in which the lover tries to convince the beloved that his love is sincere and that she should reciprocate it. However, the beloved remains indifferent to his advances, dismissing his protestations of love as insincere and superficial.
Analysis
The poem begins with the lover's passionate declaration of love, in which he compares his beloved to a goddess and praises her beauty and grace. He uses hyperbolic language to convey the intensity of his feelings, saying that he would worship her on his knees and that he would be willing to die for her. However, the beloved responds with indifference, saying that she does not believe his words and that she is not impressed by his flattery. She accuses him of using clichéd language and insincere expressions of love, and she challenges him to prove the sincerity of his feelings.
The lover responds with a series of paradoxes and contradictions, saying that his love is both constant and ever-changing, both selfless and selfish, both pure and impure. He acknowledges that he is not a perfect lover and that his feelings are sometimes influenced by external factors, such as jealousy and fear of rejection. He also admits that his love is not unconditional, and that he expects something in return from his beloved.
The beloved remains unconvinced, arguing that true love should be free from selfishness and possessiveness. She suggests that the lover's desire for her is based on superficial qualities, such as her beauty and social status, rather than on her inner qualities and virtues. She concludes by saying that she will remain indifferent to his advances until he proves that he truly loves her for who she is, rather than for what she represents.
Donne's use of language in this poem is both complex and poetic. He employs a variety of rhetorical devices, such as paradox, antithesis, and conceit, to convey the conflicting emotions of the lover and the beloved. His use of imagery is also rich and evocative, with metaphors that compare love to fire, gold, and other precious substances. He also uses religious imagery, such as the reference to the "God of Love" and the comparison of the beloved to a "goddess," to emphasize the spiritual nature of love.
The structure of the poem is also noteworthy, as it is written in the form of a dialogue rather than a monologue. This creates a sense of tension and conflict between the lover and the beloved, as they struggle to reconcile their differing views of love and desire. The use of rhyme and meter also adds to the poetic quality of the poem, with a consistent rhyme scheme and a regular rhythm that helps to convey the emotional intensity of the dialogue.
Interpretation
"The Indifferent" is a poem that raises many questions about the nature of love and desire. It explores the complexities of human affection, and the various ways in which people respond to it. Donne suggests that love is not a simple or straightforward emotion, but rather a complex and paradoxical experience that involves both selflessness and selfishness, both purity and impurity.
One of the central themes of the poem is the idea that true love should be free from selfishness and possessiveness. The beloved challenges the lover to prove the sincerity of his feelings, and suggests that his desire for her is based on superficial qualities rather than on her inner virtues. She implies that love should be based on a deeper understanding of the other person, and a willingness to accept them for who they are rather than for what they represent.
Another theme of the poem is the idea that love is not a fixed or unchanging emotion, but rather a dynamic and evolving experience. The lover acknowledges that his feelings are sometimes influenced by external factors, such as jealousy and fear of rejection, and that his love is not unconditional. He suggests that love involves both constancy and change, and that it is a journey rather than a destination.
Finally, the poem suggests that love is a spiritual experience that involves both the physical and the emotional. Donne uses religious imagery to emphasize the spiritual nature of love, and to suggest that it is a divine gift from God. He implies that love is not just a human emotion, but rather a reflection of God's love for humanity.
Conclusion
"The Indifferent" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complexities of love and the human heart. Through his use of language, imagery, and structure, Donne creates a dialogue between a lover and his beloved that raises many questions about the nature of desire and the sincerity of human affection. He suggests that love is not a simple or straightforward emotion, but rather a complex and paradoxical experience that involves both selflessness and selfishness, both purity and impurity. His use of religious imagery also emphasizes the spiritual nature of love, and suggests that it is a reflection of God's love for humanity. Overall, "The Indifferent" is a timeless meditation on the complexities of the human heart, and a testament to Donne's mastery of language and poetic form.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
John Donne's "The Indifferent" is a classic poem that explores the complexities of love and relationships. The poem is a sonnet, which means it has 14 lines and follows a specific rhyme scheme. Donne's use of language and imagery in this poem is masterful, and it has been studied and analyzed by scholars and poetry enthusiasts for centuries.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing his lover, saying "I can love both fair and brown." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is about the speaker's ability to love anyone, regardless of their physical appearance. The speaker goes on to say that he can love "her that's next to nothing in the looks department" just as easily as he can love a woman who is "more than pretty."
The second quatrain of the poem is where Donne really starts to delve into the complexities of love. The speaker says that he can love a woman who is "old or young" and that he doesn't care if she is "kind or cruel." This line is particularly interesting because it suggests that the speaker is willing to put up with mistreatment from his lover, as long as he can still love her. This is a common theme in Donne's poetry, as he often explores the idea of love as a form of suffering.
The third quatrain of the poem is where the speaker really starts to question the nature of love. He says that he can love a woman who is "fond of a man or a beast," which suggests that he is willing to overlook infidelity. He then goes on to say that he can love a woman who is "mad or bad," which suggests that he is willing to overlook mental illness or criminal behavior. This is a particularly interesting line because it suggests that the speaker is willing to love someone who is not only physically unattractive, but also morally corrupt.
The final couplet of the poem is where Donne brings everything together. The speaker says that he can love anyone, but that he will never be "caught" by love. This line suggests that the speaker is not interested in a committed relationship, but rather in the idea of love itself. He is willing to love anyone, but he will never be tied down by it.
Overall, "The Indifferent" is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of love and relationships. Donne's use of language and imagery is masterful, and the poem has been studied and analyzed by scholars and poetry enthusiasts for centuries. The poem is particularly interesting because it suggests that the speaker is willing to overlook physical appearance, infidelity, mental illness, and criminal behavior in the pursuit of love. This is a common theme in Donne's poetry, as he often explores the idea of love as a form of suffering.
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